Nepal: Nandumaya Orphanage

Introduction:

This self-sustaining model orphanage was established 5 years ago. After it was started, many such kind orphanages were started in villages where there was lots of land available. A few professional friends, with KWB groups, have funded these orphanages. Right now the land is rented and the Royal Nepal Friendship Club(RNFC, a local organization, has collected)US $ 6000.00 to build a small house for this orphanage. The kids can stay here as there is an agreement of more than 5 years to use that house. In Kathmandu many orphanages are located within the city. Our friends have decided to give a new concept of Self-Sustaining Orphanages. This centre is located 9 km from the main city. It is situated in a village and has a vegetable garden, milking buffalo, 3 goats, honey bees, 200 hundred female chickens that give 160 eggs every day, and mushroom cultivation. Right now there are 21 children, from 2 years up to 10 years old; of which 9 are boys and 12 are girls.

Management:

The Royal Nepal Friendship Club (RNFC) initiated this project. The President of the orphanage is Mr.Ramesh Lamichhane, Mrs Sarala who is incharge of the orphanage.Both are couple.

Accommodation:

Right now we have 2 rooms in the orphanage and 1 volunteer room. Volunteers may have to share a room with one other. You will be provided with food, tea and an afternoon snack.

Environment:

Phutung, where the orphanage is located, is 9 km from the main city. By taxi or car it takes 1 hour and by walking it would be 1:40 min. It is a village where all the farmers live. The orphanage has a play ground, as well as a small river within 2 minutes walk where some time kids can go swimming during the summer. There is no internet in the village but there is phone. If volunteers wish to use internet they could go to the village from where they could walk or go by bus to the city.

Our Philosophy:

The club has envisaged training the non-school-going youths in yoga and income-generating activities. Yoga may help them recover from their distressing past, whilst income-generation will support their life. The children will be encouraged to form friendships at home and abroad and they will be taught to live in harmony and peace. Willing children shall be provided with an education until 12th Grade. However, a natural home is never comparable to any other environment for a child. Hence, if family or other relatives of the children are traced, they will be rehabilitated as far as practicable.

Who do we need?

Both males and females are welcome. Those willing to stay in the home should be highly motivated to work with the children. You must present a good, moral character and respect the local culture. Volunteers can stay at the home from one week to three months.

Your job as a volunteer

Its very important if volunteer could not sleep after 7:30 morning because some time kids can see then they do have different feelings because they are teacher so, if the volunteer could wake up before 7:30 is most important.

If possible to help kids with homework, then afternoon they can go to kids school until 3:30 pm then back to orphan home until 6 pm they just rest and kids can play. In the evening at 6:00 pm up to 7:30 pm just teach them english, math or moral education.Whatever volunteer feel would be good.

After 8:00 pm volunteers can do as they wish. They can do either go to their room or read or whatever.

Read volunteers' experiences here